scarybex Posted September 16, 2010 Share Posted September 16, 2010 Hi, I have only been a chicken owner for a few weeks, one of my ex battery hens Nessa has peritonitis and the vet has prescribed 10 days of Baytril and some TLC. She's also noted that Nessa is underweight, Nessa tends to eat in the mornings when she's let out of the Elgu (classic) but not in the afternoons or early evenings and she seems unwilling to compete with the others for food and had been standing alone on one leg looking sad (hence her visit to the vet!). The vet has suggested keeping her indoors to feed her up for a few days. My problem is I have 4 greyhounds, so it either needs to be an indoor cage that is moveable (in which case she can rest in the extension and be lifted out of the way when the dogs need to pass through) or I'll need to keep her upstairs. What do other people use? Is there anything I should be feeding her do encourage her to eat? Also will the others pick on her when she returns and will she become lonely on her own? Share you wisdom with me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted September 16, 2010 Share Posted September 16, 2010 The others will pick on her after a 10 day absence. I'd have her in a cage where she can see and hear the others and they her during the day, and perhaps bring her in at night. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ClaireG Posted September 16, 2010 Share Posted September 16, 2010 I agree, she would be better in the daytime in sight of her friends. Have you got a dog crate or cat carrier that you could bring her inside in? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
winterwren Posted September 16, 2010 Share Posted September 16, 2010 I have used a dog crate which was brilliant as it was easy to clean, she can see her firends through it and you can drape a blanket over the top to give her some quiet time and stop your greyhounds from seeing her too. It kept my terrier away from my ex bat when she was poorly. I hope she gets better soon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MedusA Posted September 17, 2010 Share Posted September 17, 2010 The others will pick on her after a 10 day absence. I'd have her in a cage where she can see and hear the others and they her during the day, and perhaps bring her in at night. That's what I always do with my girls when they are poorly (provided it's not something infectious). Hope your chook feels better soon. *hugs* Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Purplemaniacs Posted September 21, 2010 Share Posted September 21, 2010 The others will pick on her after a 10 day absence. I'd have her in a cage where she can see and hear the others and they her during the day, and perhaps bring her in at night. I have done the same when one of them has been poorly. I used a dog crate and then brought it into the utility at night. The only problem that I had was our youngest labrador has a taste for the easibed that I put in the bottom of the crate and normally gets kicked out onto the floor, I then have a poorly chuck and a poorly dog to sort out Chrissie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
